The Missed Opportunity of the National Disability Strategy
Disabled people still face many challenges in the workplace and are almost twice as likely to be unemployed. With over 14.1 million disabled people in the UK, many have called on the government to urgently act.
The government's response has been the long-awaited National Disability Strategy which seeks to ‘transform the lives’ of disabled people in the UK. It covers not only work but also education, home, social life and travel. This shared vision across the government on disability has been the first in a very long time.
Photo: @kmuza, Unsplash. An open silver MacBook sits on a black table in a room. Behind the table is a wooden door. On the MacBook screen is an open broswer tab showing two overlapping line graphs, one green, and one grey. Above the line graph are various numerical figures.
What is it?
Published in July 2021, it’s made up of approximately a hundred and twenty commitments, and requires each government department to be involved. The strategy will be reviewed annually by the government who will measure progress against each of the actions and commitments.
Help finding work
Barriers to finding and retaining work for disabled people are extremely prevalent in the UK. This is reflected in the UK’s staggering employment gap - an almost 30% gap between the employment rate of disabled and non-disabled people. This is in addition to a near 20% disability pay gap.
To help combat this, the strategy has outlined more ways to help support disabled people remain in work, in addition to finding new work opportunities if they have lost their job. This includes proposed changes to the Access to Work scheme.
These changes include the use of Access to Work Adjustments Passport which would operate on a similar basis to the Reasonable Adjustment Passports for the workplace. This is welcome change, as it would facilitate specialist aid and appliances to follow the passport holder when they move to a new job.
Travel to work
Accessible public transport is imperative for disabled workers, yet numerous accessibility issues still blight our public transport. The strategy recognising the importance of a fully accessible public transport system for disabled workers is a move in the right direction.
One of the stand out ways it seeks to improve public transport is the inclusion of a statutory duty for rail to improve accessibility. The strategy also notes that infrastructure as well as vehicles need improving too.
In the workplace
The strategy has been applauded for recognising the importance of keeping disabled people in work. This is critical as many disabled workers are often subjected to capability or sickness absence procedures which can result in job loss as they become managed out of work.
Flexible working is recognised as essential to help keep disabled people in work, therefore it’s great that the strategy includes a measure which makes flexible working the default position, with employers requiring a good reason to decline it.
A welcome review of the Disability Confident Scheme has also been included in the strategy. Yet many have stated the strategy also needs to include options for objectively measuring how well those signed up to the scheme are doing and move away from employer’s self-assessment.
Measures surrounding improving access to employment rights information and advice hubs with ACAS are also noteworthy inclusions.
Missed opportunity
Although there have been many positive and welcomed measures, the strategy has been viewed by many as a missed opportunity.
The government has failed to outline directly how and when they will close the disability employment gap. This is essential for keeping the government accountable in assisting disabled people in the job market and workplace.
Accessibility and inclusivity are featured heavily within the strategy. However, the government failed to use the strategy as an opportunity to add to the Equality Act 2010 or disabled workers’ rights.
COVID-19
Disappointingly, the strategy fails to address the inequalities which have increased significantly as a result of COVID-19 for disabled people. These widening inequalities include unemployment, higher cost of living and an increase in households now living in poverty. It’s imperative that the government addresses these inequalities to fulfil its commitment to ‘build back better for disabled people.’
Lack of engagement
The government did not directly engage with the TUC and the TUC Disabled Workers' Committee during the process. By not directly engaging with these unions, they have missed out on the wealth of experience and insights they have on how to improve the workplace for disabled workers.
Unlawful
During the end of January 2022, the High Court declared that the government’s National Disability Strategy is unlawful. This was due to inadequate consultation with disabled people. For any meaningful change to occur, disabled people must be involved in the strategy every step of the way.
"Nothing about us, without us" - James Charlton, who authored a book by this same title, coined this term which “expresses the conviction of people with disabilities that they know what is best for them.” This mantra became the rallying call for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Despite these missed opportunities, the strategy provides a hopeful start to enacting real change for the lives of disabled people. It’s important to keep the momentum going and to hold the Government accountable for its promises to disabled people.
Written By Sophie Holcroft